Microsoft OneNote - Now FREE for All Platforms

I've been a user and believer of Microsoft OneNote since 2003 and used it extensively for work and home. It has been, to me, the ultimate in taking and keeping track of notes or information  for all occasions. OneNote is one of My Top 10 Most Useful iPad Apps.

Then OneNote was passed by EverNote as it worked on all devices and operating systems and, at the same time, information could be seen and synchronized to all of these platforms.

Well, Microsoft OneNote is back and in a very big way. It's FREE, works on all devices (iOS, Android, Windows Phone) and PCs or Mac's. I have OneNote on my PC (Windows 8 too), iPad, Android tablet and Android smart phone and they all work great!

Microsoft OneNote is an app that let's you have Notebooks. Each notebook is a unique file you open with OneNote. Each notebook has sections seen across the top. You can create as many sections as you want. Then each section has Pages. One cool feature is that you can drag and drop sections to reorder then or do the same with page. Organization, or reorganizing is in your complete control and amazingly easy.

My vision disability loves OneNote as I can have the text as large as I want for everything. I use OneNote for vacation planning, mileage tracking for our car, writing outlines for these blog posts, the Computer Club I attend, banking and financial notes and just anything I need to remember. All of this in a single app -- OneNote. I love the ability to clip all or a portion of a web page right into a OneNote page quickly and easily using the OneNote Web Clipper. Click Here to Install the Clipper.

But please, don't take my word for it. Take a look at these short videos that show what you can accomplish with OneNote and without much trouble at all.

Microsoft OneNote
Getting Started with OneNote 2013
Microsoft OneNote 2013 Tour - Tutorial by Skeeter
Here are 5 OneNote Training Videos
OneNote 2013 Tutorial The OneNote Environment by TeachUcomp, Inc. This is FREE
Full Feature Overview of OneNote 2010 & 2013 by David Smith



OneNote for iPad
OneNote for iPhone
OneNote for Android
OneNote for Windows Phone
OneNote for Mac
OneNote for Windows 7 or 8
OneNote on the Web at Office.com
OneNote for Windows 8 Modern Interface in the Windows Store
NOTE: OneNote works very well with the touch interface in Windows. Don't miss it!

Hey there business people -- use OneNote for your project or marketing plans and then share the information across your network or the web. That's right -- everyone has access to see AND update the notes and in REAL TIME!

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(the above 3 sentences are saved in OneNote and I copy and paste them into each blog post. What a time saver!)

Convert a PDF to Word, Excel or PowerPoint

I have used, and really like, NitroCloud to convert a PDF to either Word, Excel or PowerPoint. The great thing is that this is done strictly on the web and does NOT require you to add a program or app to your PC. Oh, and it's FREE! 

First, most folk screate a PDF file (Portable Document Format from Adobe) so the file cannot be altered and this is a good thing. However, some may have a legitimate reason or need to edit a PDF file. If this is the case, read further.

 

There are only 3 steps so it is quite easy. No technical experience required. Create a FREE account to begin. To be clear, this is a FREE service if you don't need to do this very often. The FREE account allows you to convert up to 5 documents in a month and no larger than a 50 megabyte document. This works perfectly for most of us. If you will need this service more often, check out the various types of accounts to pay for.

1. Choose PDF and then the file type you desire to convert to. Example: PDF to Word
2. Select the file
3. Enter the e-mail address you would like the converted file sent to

It only takes about 30 seconds to get the email to receive your newly converted file.

Again, you can convert to Word, Excel or PowerPoint.

A pretty nifty utility whenyou need it.

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Flipboard-My New Best News App and More

I've rediscovered Flipboard and am really liking it now. I must admit that I didn't fall in love with Flipboard as the text was too small. My vision disability craves larger text and Flipboard didn't cut it. That has changed.

Typically I review an app for either iOS or Android but Flipboard is one of those that works for BOTH!  Flipboard works the same on both but the Android experience, in my opinion, is a little better because the text can be made to be just a little larger. Don't worry iPad or iPhone folks as the iOS Flipboard app works very well. In fact, Flipboard is available for Windows Phone and Blackberry.

Flipboard Screens on the iPad

 

In a nutshell, Flipboard is an app where news sources are consolidated into a single place for "magazine" type viewing. One simply "flips" or "swipes" to the left to see the next page. It's very elegant. It's like having your personal magazine that only has articles you want to read.

1. Just download the app
2. Create an account
3. Choose the news sources you like or search for more.

Flipboard Screens on an Android Smart Phone

 

 

One of the very cool features of Flipboard is that I can include my Facebook as a news source and therefore read my Facebook timeline within Flipboard and have text that is large enough to read comfortably. Yipee! Beware however, the other Facebook features beyond reading are not included within Flipboard but I can update or write a status which is more than good enough for me.

Go ahead and give Flipboard a try or try it again if you left if behind.

 

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Find My Car app for Android That Works Quite Well

I've looked at a few "find my car" apps now and none have been that good. Either the text is too small to read, don't work accurately of just plain "hokey". But wait...here's one that actually works and it's called Find My Car-GPS Navigation by DS Software and it's for Android.

 
Find My Car-GPS Navigation is FREE but there is a pay version that removes ads. This app works perfectly fine and very accurate.  Those that know me know that I don't drive any longer due to my vision disability but my wife and I occasionally forget where the car is parked. For small parking lots this is plain ridiculous. Large parking lots, like stadiums and event facilities, is another matter.
 
The opening screen is basic yet easy with 3 main options (I like easy).

1. Park - choose to get a satellite fix.
2. Find My Car - the screen points in the direction of where your car is located
3. Map My Car - use your phone's map and provide directions to your car

 

 

 

 

 
I gave the app a try at my local grocery store. I walked out into the parking lot and chose "Park". Then I went to the entrance to the store and tried "Find My Car" and then "Map My Car" as seen by the screen shots above. The map pin pointed the parking space and where I was at the entrance with very good accuracy.
 
I tried a similar FREE app and was amazed that it was NOT nearly as accurate. I wonder why this is?

Again, there is a pay version that removes ads and is only $3.00.
 

 
Just to be clear here. I think this app works quite well but an over-reaching question might be, "do I really need this kind of app?"  Frankly, I don't think so. However, I'm not deleting it yet -- just in case.

NOTE: I looked in the iTunes App Store for find my car type apps for the iPhone and there were quite a few.


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How To Reset Your Apple ID Password or Changte the ID Itself

Your Apple ID is your User Name for everything you do in Apple. There may be a need to change your password or discover the password if you have forgotten it. You might even need to change the ID itself if you've changed your e-mail. Here are instructions to do both.

 

 

If you own an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch you have an Apple ID. If you don't remember setting this up when you purchased either of these items, the sales person may have done this for you at the time of purchase. Regardless, you have an Apple ID. The Apple ID is used when getting apps, paid or FREE or purchasing Music from iTunes. You also use your Apple ID for doing Facetime (Free video calling) or doing Messaging.

You can see your Apple ID on one of these devices by going to Settings > iCloud. Your Account is your Apple ID. There are two other places to see your Apple ID. Settings > Messages. See Send and Receive for your Apple ID. And lastly, Settings > Facetime. See Apple ID.

 

How to find your Apple ID

Apple ID: If you forget your password

If you forget your Apple ID password, follow these steps to reset your password and regain access to the Apple features and services that use Apple ID.

If you know the answers to your security questions

Go to My Apple ID (appleid.apple.com).

Click "Manage your Apple ID", then click "Forgot your password?".

1. Enter your Apple ID and click Next.
2. Select "Answer security questions" as your authentication method. Click Next.
3. Select the birth date associated with your Apple ID, then click Next to begin answering your security questions.
4. After answering your security questions, you will be asked to enter and confirm your new password. Click Reset Password when done.

If you have access to the email address associated with your Apple ID

1. Go to My Apple ID (appleid.apple.com).
2. Click "Manage your Apple ID", then click "Forgot your password?".
3. Enter your Apple ID and click Next.
4. Select "Email authentication" as your authentication method. Click Next.
5. Apple will send a message to the email address associated with your Apple ID. Open the message and click "Reset Apple ID password".
6. When the My Apple ID page opens, enter and confirm your new password, then click Reset Password.

Or click here.

 

Change Your Apple ID

Before you change your Apple ID:

1. Sign out of all Apple features and services that you use with your current Apple ID.
2. Make sure that the email address you want to use for your Apple ID meets these conditions:
3. The email address is one that you use regularly, because it will be the primary email address for your Apple ID.
4. The email address is not associated with any other Apple ID.
5. The email address is not an iCloud email address, which is already an Apple ID. iCloud email addresses end with @icloud.com, @me.com, or @mac.com.

To change your Apple ID, follow these steps:

1. Go to My Apple ID (appleid.apple.com), click "Manage your Apple ID", and sign in.
2. If you have two-step verification turned on, you'll be asked to send a verification code to the trusted device associated with your Apple ID. If you are unable to receive messages at your trusted device, follow the guidelines for what to do if you can't sign in with two-step verification.
3. In the "Apple ID and Primary Email Address section," click Edit.
4. Enter the email address you want to use, then click Save Changes. Apple will send a verification email to that address.
5. Open the email from Apple, then click Verify Now in the email.
6. When the My Apple ID page opens, sign in with your renamed Apple ID.

If you have two-step verification turned on, you'll be asked to send a verification code to the trusted device associated with your Apple ID.

After you see a message indicating that verification is complete, remember to update all of the stores and services that you use with your Apple ID.

Or click here.

 
If you don't remember your Apple ID

In iTunes

If you have used iTunes before and were the only one to log in, then you can see your Apple ID from the menu option Store > View Account.

From your iPad or iPhone

Go to Settings > iCloud. See the first option called Account with your Apple ID to the right.

Or clickhere.

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Get More From Google Now

Google Now is an intelligent system of "cards" that provide information to you without you manually asking for it.

Google Now works in the background and presents information to you in the form or "cards" on your Android smartphone screen. You can now have google now on your iPhone/iPad, PC or Mac and, of course, Android Smart Phones.  I must note that Google Now uses technology from later versions of the Android operating system, thus might not be available on older smart phones.

Google Now can present your airline boarding  information on the day of your flight or when you approach the airport. Google Now does this if you have your flight information saved as a calendar appointment. Google Now continuously checks things so you don't have to.

Google Now will remind you to leave for an appointment and the appropriate time including traffic conditions all by noticing what might be upcoming in your calendar.

Google Now can remind you of local events that might be happening today or public transportation stops. To some, Google Now feels a bit "creepy" because it knows about things before you ask for them but others, like me, enjoy Google Now's intuitive presentation of things that are important to me.

Turn on Google Now by:

1. Start Google Search on your Android smart phone. 
2. Touch Menu > Settings > Google Now

Here is a very clear article from Android Authority and how to set up Google Now.

I really like Google Now because I can see the "cards" even with my poor vision. This is huge for me.

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Automatically Copy Photos From Any Smart Phone to Your PC or Mac

A common question I hear is "how do I share photos from my smart phone" or "how do I get photos off my smart phone?" You can copy ALL photos from your smart phone quickly and safely so they don't get accidental deleted. Do it automatically and without wires.

Many are very particular about how they organize their photos and that's all well and good but getting them from the smart phone to the computer is a bigger struggle.

I strongly recommend using an online service and there are a few which I will list below. However, I want to stress that if you want ease and worry free, then invest just a little money(some some) and time to sign up for one of these services.

Facebook and Google+ stop at uploading photos to the cloud with an extra step on your part to move those photos to your PC or Mac. . Dropbox and OneDrive actually synchronize those photos to your Mac(Dropbox) or PC(both Dropbox and OneDrive). I strongly recommend one of these two services although Dropbox is my favorite.

All of the below services are FREE, however, additional storage space have a fee.
 

Facebook

Go to App Settings / Synch Photos and turn this On. This allows ALL photos to go to Facebook. Once the photos are on Facebook, click here to see what else you can do.

Google+

From the Menu, choose Photos > Turn On at the lower left. There are other choices to fine tune your uploads like only doing this when on WiFi to avoid excessive data usage (I do this). Click here for more on Google+.

Dropbox

Within the Dropbox app, choose Settings > Turn On Camera Upload. You can choose WiFi only too if you wish. With these settings, all NEW photos will automatically upload to a folder called Camera Upload on Dropbox. This Camera Upload folder will then, AUTOMATICALLY, synchronize down to any of your computers (Mac or PC) if it has Dropbox installed there too. For more information about Dropbox and photos, click here.

OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive) from Microsoft

Unfortunately, OneDrive does NOT have an automatic synch at this time but it is easy enough to upload an entire list of photos from your smart phone to SkyDrive.

Within the OneDrive app, touch the upward arrow to Upload Photos and Videos. For more information about using OneDrive, click here.

Creating a OneDrive account is a bit more cumbersome than all the others.

All of these services are available for Android, iOS and Windows Phones as well as Mac and PC.

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Poor Vision - No Problem. 5 Easy Eye Saving Tips

Although my vision is poor-legally blind-there are PC settings that help me. Yes, it is more work and yes, there are things I can no longer do. Fundamentally I need text bigger.

Windows and Mac have settings to help out the visually impaired. The most often used is adjusting the screen resolution to make everything larger. For now, I'll focus on Windows.

1. Use a larger monitor. I have been using a 23" diagonal monitor for many years
2. Adjust screen resolution to make everything larger
3. Change only text size for certain areas of Windows
4. Zoom In and Out in your browser
5. Zoom In and Out with the mouse scroll wheel

Changing the Screen Resolution is done in Control Panel. This changes the size of everything.
Go to Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Display > Screen Resolution > Advanced Settings.
I use 150% instead of 100%

There is also an option to Change Only Text Size with a drop down to select where and the size you want. The options are:

I change the Menus, Title Bars and Icon Size fonts to 12 pt from the default 9 pt.

Windows 8.x has a nifty app called Magnifier. I haven't spent much time with this app but I gave it a try recently and it works pretty well and flexible enough to make things bigger on the screen. It does create some work and getting used to as you either move the mouse point to the screen edge or use the keyboard arrow keys to navigate.

All browsers allow zooming of the screen by holding the Control Key and hitting the '+' key to zoom in. Likewise Control and '-' key to zoom out.

Also, hold the Control Key and scroll forward or back on the mouse scroll wheel to zoom in and out.

In some cases, an individual application will have settings to make things bigger. Look for Preferences or Settings to see what is there.

As a Free tip, instead of carrying a magnifying glass, use your smartphone and a FREE app called Magnifying Glass. There are many for Android and Apple.

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Do You Worry About Internet Safety?

SplashData reports that hackers have discovered the most  common internet password is now '123456' which swapped with' password'. That's right, the number 1 and number 2 most common internet passwords just switched places for 2013.

Chris Smith of the Boy Genius Report shares in his article 'Password' is no longer the dumbest password of the year.

Jon Brodkin of Ars Technica in his article Internet users ditch"password" as password, upgrade to "123456".

 

Splashdata News Friday, Worst passwords of 2013 - our annual list update.  January 17, 2013
 

Most Common Internet Passwords of 2013
Credit SplashData

Experts say we should use a strong password for our most sensitive websites and I would agree. I would also agree with virtually all of my friends (those over 55) that I need a password I can remember.

Here is a method to help you do both.

We will NOT use any from the top 25 most common but will use a scheme to create a strong password using numbers and letters and special characters.

1. Decide on your favorite word. It can be a name, place or thing and try to make it 5 or 6 letters or more.
2. Choose your favorite number over 1,000.
3. An finally choose your favorite special character. NOTE: some special characters are not allowed by some sites.
4. Now put these 3, easy to remember, items together to make up your "strong" password. Capitalize one of the letters (not the first one) to add one additional piece of strength.

For example:

My favorite name will be 'otto', my childhood pet dog.

1. My favorite number will be '1975', the year I got my first computer.
2. My favorite special character will be the '-' (hyphen).
3. I'll put them together in this order. '-1975ottO'.

Now THAT is a very strong password that I can remember easy enough.

 
It is advisable to have different passwords for different types of accounts. To handle this you might want to use a different special character for different types of accounts.

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What Do You Do When Windows XP Support Ends April 8, 2014?

Windows XP support ends April 8th, 2014. Surprisingly enough this has been a long run for this operating system. Windows XP was first introduced August 24, 2001. Pretty amazing really. Microsoft wants you to upgrade and this is obvious.

According to Gartner, the global installed base of PCs, at the end of 2013, will be 1.63 billion units.  Windows XP is currently installed on at least 500 million computers and almost certainly used by over a billion people.  (Too Many PCs are Still Running Windows XP. October 3, 2013). And Windows XP Market Share was 28.98% as of Dec. 2013 according to Net Application Data.

 

However, Windows 8.x hasn't been getting good press and deservedly so. It's a bit confusing but absolutely doable. 

So what does this really mean to you if you still have Windows XP? You have a choice to make and for most, it is not really a dangerous choice. You can do nothing and be pretty safe with what you have. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" type of answer. However, if you surf the web, download programs, music and other things on the internet, you might be more mindful and realize that your Windows XP will become more vulnerable to hacks, viruses and malware as Microsoft won't be spending any serious time supporting XP any longer. Found bugs won't be fixed, no more security updates, etc. This goes for Office 2003 too.

 

You CAN continue to use Windows XP however--it will NOT stop working.

You CAN still instill it on PCs and register it with a valid License Key. This allows you to install XP on a new PC if you wish as long as you have the original CD/DVD.

As of Jan 15, 2014, Microsoft said it will continue to provide Malware Signatures via Microsoft Security Essentials. NOTE: This could change in the future.

 

 

Here is what Microsoft says about the end of life for Windows XP.

 

If you want to see if your current computer can upgrade to a new version of Windows, download and run the Windows Upgrade Assistant. http://windows.microsoft.com/eos

My recommendation

Buy a new PC with the latest version of Windows. Purchasing a new version of Windows and installing on your current PC will work and work fine but getting a new laptop with Windows 8 can be had for under $300. Purchasing a Windows 8.1 Upgrade is $119.99.

 BUT, doing nothing is not a huge risk to most so keeping XP is a valid response.

How to upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows XP or Vista.

Other Articles on the subject.

When Windows XP Support Ends, here's how to keep your PC secure. David Ludlow. Expert Reviews. Jan 15, 2014

Windows XP Won't Go Quietly

Kevin Casey. Information Week. Jan 7, 2014

Bloomberg Businessweek reports that some of the most important machines that desperately need to upgrade from Windows XP are ATMs, of which an estimated 95% still run on Microsoft's older operating system.

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